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The United States has a two-tiered health system,
with both public and private hospitals. The public system includes Medicare
(a health insurance program for seniors and the disabled) and Medicaid (a
health insurance plan for the very poor). Most Americans get health insurance,
which helps to pay for private care, through their workplaces. Some pay for
insurance themselves. Many Americans, however, cannot afford health insurance
and live in fear of falling ill. Senior citizens often have difficulty paying
for prescription drugs that are not covered by Medicare.
Some Americans sign up with a Health Maintenance Organization
(HMO). Individuals pay a set monthly fee; in return, an HMO clinic is expected to
look after all their health concerns. The clinics, which are either for profit or
non-profit, hire medical professionals to provide the care. HMOs have rules about
the type and frequency of treatment and may refuse to cover certain treatments. |
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Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death
in the United States. The average life expectancy for an American is 76.7 years,
and most Americans enjoy good health. However, life expectancy is lower and infant
mortality rates are higher for African-Americans.
American hospitals and medical schools are famous for the
quality of care they offer and the research they support. People come from around
the world to receive medical training at universities such as Harvard or Johns
Hopkins. The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, are known
internationally for their research into infectious diseases and epidemics. The
Mayo Clinics in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin are renowned for medical research
and high-quality treatment. The United States government also funds many programs
to stop the spread of AIDS; antiviral medications allow many with the disease to
live longer, healthier lives. |
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Did you know? |
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Many Americans campaign vigorously to decrease the
incidence of smoking, especially among young people. More than 400,000
Americans die from diseases caused by cigarette smoking every year. It
is the single most preventable cause of premature death in the United States.
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Health care professionals promote healthy eating and
exercise. Obesity has recently become a major concern. About 20% of Americans
are considered obese, and more than 25% of Americans under 19 are overweight.
At the same time, some young American women become obsessed with their body
weight, fail to eat properly, and develop a disorder known as anorexia.
Many Americans use alternative medicine, such as
acupuncture, massage, homeopathy and chiropractic, for pain relief and
the treatment of illness. |
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